Renegade X-RS 900 ACE Turbo – Mid-season impressions 

I would like to take advantage of a beautiful stormy day to share with you my mid-season impressions of the 2019 Renegade X-RS 900 ACE Turbo. In fact, as a result of not being able to hit the trails, I believe that this is an opportune time to share with you my comments and observations after more than 1500 km.

These tests took place in a beautiful variety of conditions, ranging from unmaintained forest trails to surfaced trails in excellent condition. As you would expect, I was able to test the performance of the new Rotax 900 ACE Turbo engine and see if the combination of the Gen 4 platform and drive unit was as good as expected. At least, for my expectations.

Without further delay, here I go…

Engine

Who has not heard of the all-new 900 ACE Turbo engine introduced this year in several Ski-Doo snowmobile models? This engine, long-awaited by enthusiasts of Ski-Doo products, and even of other brands, has finally made its entry into the Québec manufacturer’s range. This happening has been much written about and fuels many discussions between snowmobilers. 

While some are disappointed that BRP has opted for an engine of (only) 150 HP, others rejoice to see a serious replacement to the ageing 1200 4-TEC engine arrive. Although the 1200 has been able to prove its value and its reliability over the years, it was not quite powerful enough to fill the void in 150-165 HP 4-stroke engine category at Ski-Doo. 

So, it was with all this in mind that I began my tests of the 2019 Renegade X-RS 900 ACE Turbo. 

In “sport” mode, this engine is really impressive. The response is instantaneous and very strong. Each time that I press the accelerator, I must firmly hold the handlebar and when my elbows begin to unfold, a broad smile forms on my face. Wow! For a 150 HP engine, it is really something!

Although the “sport” mode is exciting, I must confess that I use the “normal” mode much more regularly and particularly in the meandering paths. As a matter of fact, during accelerations in “sport” mode, the front of the snowmobile rises, which decreases the traction of the skis on the trail. In “normal” mode, the accelerations are very good without being excessive, which makes the long rides more enjoyable. 

The “eco” mode, as you can guess, makes the engine much more docile and progressive. For my part, I tried it, but after 4 or 5 kilometres, I switched back to the “normal” mode. 

The engine is excessively soft, and the sound that it emits is entrancing. It’s like music to the ears. This sound invites us to set off on an adventure, but it really is not offensive for the pilot nor for the people around. I would like to say a big bravo to the people at Ski-Doo on this matter since it is really a success.

Chassis

For my part, the combination of the 900 ACE Turbo engine and the Gen 4 chassis is a real success. On the X-RS set, it is the same. Of course, for those who are accustomed to X-RS sets, we notice that there is more weight to the front. As this is the first time that there is a 4-stroke engine on an X-RS, it can be a shock for some, especially if you are not accustomed to driving a 4-stroke snowmobile. 

In the soft snow, you need to work harder in the turns. At the very start of the season, I rode in forest paths with thirty centimetres of virgin snow, and I had to be more careful in the turns. To be honest, in these conditions I would have preferred a 2-stroke engine like the 850 E-TEC, for example. This did not render the ride unpleasant but required a bit more attention on my part.

In very bumpy trails, you must be a little more vigilant. The snowmobile remains predictable most of the time, but you must still deal with a little more weight to the front. Having driven many other 4-stroke snowmobile models in the past, I can say that the combination of the ACE 900 Turbo and the Gen 4 chassis succeeds as being one of the best sets that I have had the pleasure of driving in these conditions.

In the rest of the conditions, driving a Renegade X-RS 900 ACE Turbo is really a very pleasant experience, and I’m really looking forward to my next outing!!!

A small point to improve…

During my first rides, I returned to my starting point a few times in the evening. The front headlight is a halogen bulb and does not offer the lighting that could be expected. While the trend in the industry is to opt for LED headlights, Ski-Doo offers this type of light only as an option. Strangely, the headlight of the Backcountry X-RS 850 E-TEC seems to shine a little better.

Suspension and Driving

The rMotion and RAS 3 combination of the GEN 4 platform offers great comfort in most conditions that we can encounter on the trails. It is really a pleasure to drive a snowmobile equipped with this set. The KYB shock absorbers are very powerful, which adds to the comfort. The Pilot TS skis do a good job, even if they tend to do a little bit of wandering in certain conditions. Being able to adjust the height of the carbide runner quickly and without any tools enables you to always find a good adjustment according to the type of trail bottom. 

Round 2

I am, therefore, starting the second part of my season with a great deal of confidence in the Renegade X-RS 900 ACE Turbo. I will be able to enjoy the pleasure of driving this snowmobile, and you will soon be able to read my final review of this year’s test.

I would like to thank the Ski-Doo manufacturer for making this test of the Renegade X-RS 900 Turbo ACE 2019 snowmobile possible throughout the season.

Here’s to seeing you on the trails!